Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks look set to go ahead tomorrow, despite calls for the event to be cancelled in solidarity with those affected by bushfires.
New Year's Eve fireworks displays have sparked heated debates in recent days, with some areas forced to cancel their pyrotechnic celebrations due to bushfire risk and severe weather conditions, and others opting to cancel celebrations in order to redirect funds to firefighting services.
The issue has divided the public, and even the government, with the New South Wales premier and deputy premier publicly disagreeing over whether Sydney's fireworks should go ahead.
Here's the latest on which fireworks are cancelled, and why. If you're unsure about your local area, check in with local government or event organisers.
Which New Year's Eve fireworks have been cancelled?
A number of New Year's Eve fireworks displays around the country have been cancelled in response to the danger posed by bushfires.
Canberra's New Year's Eve fireworks have been called off thanks to a total fire ban in the ACT, with experts most concerned about vantage points around Canberra having limited access and evacuation routes.
Fireworks have also been cancelled in Ipswich, Queensland, after consideration of "ongoing dry conditions, as well as community sentiment."
A fireworks display planned by Twin Towns resort at Coolangatta and Tweed Heads was also cancelled, and the $20,000 allocated for the show will instead be donated to bushfire appeals.
Why is there a push to cancel Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks?
270,000 people have signed a Change.org petition calling for Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks to be cancelled so that funds can be redirected to firefighters and those affected by bushfires.
Others have called for the fireworks to be cancelled due to concerns about their contribution to the smoke haze over the harbour city, and to stand in solidarity with those around the country who have had fireworks or New Year's Eve celebrations cancelled due to their own bushfire risk.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro is amongst those calling for the fireworks to be cancelled, tweeting that he considers it a "very easy decision."
"The risk is too high and we must respect our exhausted RFS volunteers. If regional areas have had fireworks banned, then let's not have two classes of citizens. We're all in this crisis together," he wrote on Monday.
Despite calls for the fireworks to be cancelled, the City of Sydney and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian have confirmed that the show will go ahead - unless fire services determine there to be a safety concern.
Responding to the Change.org petition, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that while she has been "moved by the outpouring of support and care the community has shown for those affected by the bushfires," it is not practically possible to redirect funds from the fireworks this close to the event.
"Our fireworks are planned 15 months in advance and most of the budget – which is largely allocated to crowd safety and cleaning measures – has already been spent," Moore said.
"I know this isn't exactly what you would like to be hearing from me, but we can't cancel the fireworks and even if we could, doing so would have little practical benefit."
The City of Sydney also pointed out that the New Year's Eve fireworks generate $130 million for the state economy, and that cancelling the event would "seriously hurt Sydney businesses."
The NSW Rural Fire Service has not ruled out the possibility of cancelling the fireworks at the last minute should a safety concern emerge.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she will defer to expert advice, "but if there is no safety reason why those fireworks shouldn't continue, we will proceed."
The City of Sydney said that while the fireworks will go ahead, it has taken a number of steps to support those affected by bushfires.
The City of Sydney said it had donated $620,000 to support communities affected by bushfire and drought.
Marketing materials during the broadcast of the Sydney fireworks will be used to encourage donations to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, and the event will also support the Refugee Council of Australia.
The fireworks will also be carbon offset and biodegradable.
